Why do Americans have so much fear and guilt around taking a vacation? This culture perpetuates a sense of indispensability like nothing can or will get done if they are not there to ensure the task is complete! Time away from the office produces so much fear in so many that something catastrophic will happen. As a result they will either lose their job or be replaced with the person filling in the gap in their absence.
Taking a two week vacation has created so much anxiety and fear in the workplace that most won’t even consider taking that kind of time away from home least of all away from the job.
Then along comes the staycation, created to save a little money by staying close to home, however, studies have shown that that is not the primary reason! The primary reason for the staycation is the fear and guilt around taking a vacation! Yes, Fear!
American’s are the only culture of people who are actually afraid to go on extended leave or vacation for fear of losing their jobs or their standing in the company. Then there are the entrepreneurs who feel that the business can’t go on without them.
America has become a culture of work work work! Work at work, work at play, work while off work, and work while at play! Recreation has become a full time job.
For example, a family came to Washington, DC for a visit. The mother went to see the concierge of the hotel with a binder filled with the day to day scheduled activities for the family to do and see. Each day was carefully planned without any margin for error. Big Mis-Take! Nature happened and the plans affected. Why? It rained for three days straight, not just rain rain, but bucket rain, putting a damper (no pun intended) on her plans for the family. This caused enormous stress and anxiety on her and her family.
Guilt and stress are two of the biggest dis-easers out there. Even when the intention is to relax and rejuvenate so many are filled with anxiety and fear about not doing it or getting it right! Success and failure at work can create concern and worry about being judged or evaluated especially when you are absent and unable to defend yourself. These feelings can mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually make you sick!
Rest is rejuvenation is essential to good health it is even mandated in scripture!
In the book of Genesis, GOD specifically addresses the need for and the importance of rest and the rejuvenation of the body. In Genesis 2:3, it states, that “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. As well as in the book of Exodus 34, where it says, “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. In other words, you need clarity and focus to co-create with GOD and you need rest and rejuvenation to co-create with man.
GOD does not need rest, you do!